Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Why one MLB insider gave Red Sox an ‘A+’ for Rafael Devers trade
"For this trade, I think they did as well as you could have possibly have done."
The Red Sox’s decision to trade Rafael Devers last week has continued to divide fans.
Amid all of the drama involving Devers’ and his discontent with Boston’s front office over his position in the field, the Red Sox still relinquished one of the top hitters in baseball by sending him to the West Coast.
And even if Devers was on the outs with the organization, the return the Red Sox secured from the Giants didn’t exactly steal headlines in terms of elite talents arriving in Boston.
But amid the frustrations felt by a Red Sox fanbase that has become very familiar with franchise stalwarts heading West, one MLB insider believes that Boston did far more than just break even by dealing away Devers.
Advertisement:
Rather, Jon Heyman of the New York Post argued the Red Sox checked off plenty of boxes by trading away a talented — albeit disgruntled — star player in Devers.
“I think they did the right thing. … For this trade, I think they did as well as you could have possibly have done. “Heyman said of the Devers trade on “MLB Now.” “We’re talking about a designated hitter who was a malcontent. Now, is it his fault that he was a malcontent. I don’t know, maybe not. I’m not going to get into that right now.
Advertisement:
“He’s an unhappy guy, not doing his best, he is only a DH for them, we know that, and $30 million a year? For them to bring in four players … I think they did great. If you’re just talking about the trade, and that’s all, I’d give them an A+.”
It remains to be seen how much impact the Giants’ package of players and prospects will aid the Red Sox moving forward.
Jordan Hicks, 28, could be a potential weapon out of Boston’s bullpen after struggling as a starter with the Giants. He could be activated off the IL as soon as Friday when the Red Sox return from a nine-game road trip out west.
Kyle Harrison, 23, could end up being a regular starter with the Red Sox and still has some upside. However, the southpaw’s results so far in the big leagues have been uneven (4.48 career ERA over 182.2 innings), prompting Boston to send him down to Triple-A Worcester following the deal.
James Tibbs is a 22-year-old outfield prospect with some pop that is now in Double-A Portland, but he was not San Francisco’s top prospect in the system at the time of the trade. Boston was reportedly unable to pry the Giants’ best blue-chip talent in first baseman Bryce Eldridge as part of the deal.
Advertisement:
The top return for the Red Sox in a deal centered on Devers might revolve around the Giants taking the remaining $254 million left on Devers’ contract with Boston.
As such, the Red Sox should have between $27-31 million freed up to spend each season through 2033. Boston could reinvest that money this offseason by signing a potential No. 2 starter like Dylan Cease or a power hitter like Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwartber.
Still, the onus still falls on Boston to properly reallocate those funds moving forward if the team wants to make the most out of moving on from a talent like Devers.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com